Rock core drills



Oct. 8, 1963 v. L. HELM ROCK com: DRILLS 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 22. 1960 INVEN TOR. VERNON Z. MEL/4 A r 70km? V6 E ika Oct. 8, 1963 v. L. HELM 3,10

ROCK CORE DRILLS I Filed Aug. 22. 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR. Vl-P/VON 1.. l/ELM Q I I A rive/V675 Oct. 8, 1963 v. L. HELM 3,106,257

v ROCK CORE DRILLS Filed Aug. 22. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1N VEN TOR. VERNON ,6. #6: M

United States Patent 3,106,257 ROCK CORE DRILLS Vernon L. Helm, 9744 E'vanston Ave., Seattle, Wash.

Filed Aug. 22, 1960, Ser. No. 50,902

Claims. (Cl; 173-32) A specific object hereof is to provide an improved pri-' mary anchoring device for a core drill, permitting the drill to be operated at any of different angles, through a wide range, relative to a rock face, without necessity of shifting or manipulating the anchor. Much time is thereby saved When exploring the nature, location and extent of a region requiring a number of diiferently directed bores.

A further object is an improved and versatile drill feed mechanism, providing increased drilling speed and accuracy (i.e., core alignment). In one mode, constant drilling pressure is exerted by the feed independently of the rate of advancement, permitting the drill to cut as rapidly as possible. In an alternative mode, constant feed, at a reduced, controllable rate, is provided independently of variations in the applied drill-feed pressure. In this latter mode the drill is fed at a sufliciently slow and controlled rate that oblique cracks and strata interfaces encountered by it will not deflect the bit out of alignment.

Still another object is to provide arapid-acting,, improved rod-pulling apparatus combined with and utilizing a portion of the drill feed mechanism.

Other objects relate to various improvements and eiiiciencies in construction and operation of the novel apparatus compared with prior devices for a similar purpose.

As herein disclosed the novel drilling apparatus includes among other features a primary anchor device having an expansible tubular post adapted to lock in a rock bore, and. having a drill rig support coupling on such post which is so connected to the expansion-producing element bore in response to forces of retractionexented thereon.

An additional feature resides in the provision of such a coupling as an element of a ball-and-socket universaljoint, permitting reorientation of the drill rig without shifting the anchor. Secondary supports, while they may comprise legs, props or other means, preferably are in the form of extensible bearing elements mounted on the end of the drill carriage opposite the universal joint and adapting the rig for drilling transverse bores from a tunnel or drift shaft by propping it transversely across the tunnel at selected locations.

Additional features reside in the double-acting pneumatic drill feed and rod-pulling jack and in the combination thereof with a hydraulic feed jack for achieving slower controllable feed when necessary, also for. damping the pneumatic jack motion in certain situations. For rod-pulling operation, a first releasable drill rod clamp is mounted on the drilling head (i.e., with the drill motor and chuck assembly) and cooperates with a second releasable clamp fixed on the carriage and with the pneumatic jack mechanism of the drill head during rod-pulling operations.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become more fully evident from the following description thereof by reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the complete drilling apparatus in its preferred form, less the hydraulic and pneumatic sources and controls, and with the drill motor and drill chuck shown by broken lines in operating position in the drill head.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the combined pneumatic and hydraulic jack mechanism and associated controls.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side view, partially in section, illustrating the anchor post arrangement and the associated end portion of the drill apparatus mounted thereon, the view illustrating the anchor post mounted in a tunnel wall bore and showing the drill rod as it enters the-wall.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detail of the drill rod clamp or holder which is fixedly mounted on the carriage, the view being from the side and being partially in section, showing a section of drill rod being engaged by the clamp.

FIGURE 5 is an end view of the clamp means shown in FIGURE 4, the view being taken on line '55 in FIG- of the anchor as to increase the hold of the post in the to the tunnel (FIGURE 6).

URE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the drilling apparatus in operating position with a length of drill rod in place.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side view of a portion of the drilling apparatus illustrating an initial phase in the process of pulling drill rod.

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7 illustrating a succeeding phase in the rod-pulling operation.

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal sectional view with parts broken away for convenience in illustration, showing a modified drilling apparatus in accordance with the inventio-n.

FIGURE 10 is a side view of the modified apparatus in operating position.

FIGURE ll is a fragmentary side view illustrating the clamp mechanism associated with the apparatus in FIGURE 9 as a means to hold the drill rod when the same is not engaged in the drive motor chuck, such as during the process of adding additional sections of drill rod or in the process of pulling the rod.

Referring to FIGURES 1 through 8, the drill carriage It} is of elongated form and is supported at one end by means of a primary anchor post 12 and at its opposite end by the longitudinally extensible bearing means 14. In side exploration core sampling from a drift or tunnel, the carriage in operating position is disposed transversely Preferably the anchor post 12 is mounted on that end of the carriage toward and beyond which drill rod is fed.

Other major components and assemblies of the drilling apparatus include the drill head 16 which is reciprocable lengthwise of the carriage Iii, and the fluid actuated jack means 18 mounted on the carriage and connected to the drill head 16 for reciprocating the latter. The drill motor 20 is removably mounted in the drill head 16, as is the drill rod chuck 22 which is pant of the motor assembly. The reciprocable d-rill head 16 also carries a drill rod releasable clamp device 24. A similar clamp device 26 is mounted in fixed position on the carriage 10 preferably at the end of the carriage which is connected to the anchor post 12. Another important part of the carriage mount is the universally tiltaole coupling 28 by which it w 23a serves as a support for the stationary clamp device 26. The tubular rail members 1011 and 1011 are rigidly interconnected in parallel spaced relationship by web plate h (FIGURE 1) near their ends opposite clamp 26. Straight intermediate portions 10a and 10b of the tubular members 10a and 10b serve as guides -for the reciprocative drilling head 16. Adjustable stop collars 39 secured at longitudinally spaced locations on the tubular members 10:: and 10b establish the stroke and limits of travel of the drill head 16 thereon.

The anchor post 12, as shown best in FIGURE 3, comprises an elongated tubular member 12a having a head 12b at its projecting end and being slitted lengthwise from its opposite end, as indicated at 12c, rendering such opposite end, which projects into the bore B in the tunnel wall T, expansible. A conically tapered Wedging element 12d partially enters the slitted end of the tubular post member 12a and is so held by the headed inner end of a bolt 122 which projects slidably through the head 12b and lengthwise through the tube 12a. The outer end of this bolt is treaded into the universal joint ball fitting 28b which includes a hexagonal nut portion 28b. The ball fitting may be turned by means of the nut portion 28b in order to draw the wedging element 12d by degrees into the slitted end of the tube 12a and thereby expand the tube firmly against the walls of the bore B so as to lock it in the bore. Once the carriage is connected to the ball fitting any large forces tending to withdraw the anchor post 12 from the bore B are transmitted to the wedging element through the bolt and only serve to strengthen the grip of post 12 in the bore.

At the opposite end of the carriage the extensible hearing means 14 in this instance comprises two screw jacks 14a and 14b which are threaded into end nuts 14c fixed on the ends of the carriage tubes 10a and 10b. The projecting ends of these screw jacks 14a and 14b have hardened conical points or tips 14a and 14b, respectively, which are integral with the hexagonal heads 14a" and 14b" by which the screw jacks may be turned. Projecting endwise from the tubular carriage frame members 10a and 10b, these screw jacks 14a and 14b are independently adjustable so as to permit their engagement with the wall surface T of the tunnel regardless of irregularities in that surface and regardless of the angle of aspect of the elongated carriage 10 in relation to the opposing tunnel walls T and T, as permitted by the flexibility of the universal coupling 28.

The reciprocable drilling head 16 comprises the elongated split sliding collars 16a and 16b encircling the respective guide members 10a and 10b and interconnected by a web plate 160 at the end thereof adjacent the frame plate 10d. Mounted in upstanding position on this plate 16c is a bracket 16d which supports the drill rod clamp means 24 and also provides for a connection at 16a to the piston rod 18a of the fluid-actuated jack mechanism 18. At the opposite end of the drilling head 16 an upstanding bracket 16 supports the lower 'half of a two-part collar 16g, the upper part of which is removably secured by wing nuts and associated bolts to the lower part in order to support the drill motor 26 and chuck assembly 22 detachably on the drill head. The chuck assembly and motor are or may be of conventional type, the chuck including a water inlet port and rotary joint by and through which water delivered through a flexible conduit C is conducted to the hollow interior of the aligned sections of drill rod R turned by the chuck and motor.

The clamp or holding device 24, operable with the motor and chuck assembly 20, 22 removed from the drill head, includes a semicylindrical cradle 24a having upwardly projecting ears 24b on opposite sides thereof. A cam-shaped, serrated clamp dog 24c is carried by a transverse shaft extending -between the ears 24b and is turned by an operating lever 24d. For clamp 26, a similar clamp dog 26c is mounted on a shaft journalled in the ears 26b on the guide sleeve 26a. These eccentrically formed holding dogs are adapted, by reason of their serrations and generally spiral contour, to engage and hold a drill rod R against a longitudinal force. As shown in FIGURE 5 the serrated gripping surface of the dog 26c (the dog 240 is similar) is transversely concave so as to increase its area of contact with the drill rod R. The dog 260 is turned by a lever or handle 26d. The lever handles 26d and 24:! have weights 26d and 24d on their outer ends which tend to swing the camming elements normally into upraised position out of contact with the drill rod (see, for example, the position of the element 240 in FIGURE 8 and of element 26c in FIGURE 7).

The fluid-actuated jack mechanism 18 in this embodiment includes the air cylinder 13!) whose end walls are provided by the plates ltld and ltle clamped against the ends of the cylinder by means of the tie rods 18d. Upturned flanges 1011' on web plate ltlh serve as supports for the air cylinder end plates. For this purpose, the lower tie rods 18d pass through holes in these flanges and are secured thereto by nuts 10 (FIGURE 2). A pneumatic piston assembly 18@ mounted on the inner end of the piston rod 18a provides the force necessary to reciprocate the drilling head 16. The direction of piston movement is determined by delivery of pressurized air through either of the air line branches 18 or 18g, under control of the respective valves 18f and 18g. Pressure in the branch lines is established by a pressure-regulating valve 18h interposed in the pressure line 181' which leads to the pneumatic pressure source (not shown).

In addition to the pneumatic jack, the mechanism 18 also preferably includes an hydraulic jack means wherein the hollow tubular piston rod 18a cooperates as an hydraulic cylinder 18a with the hydraulic piston 18j mounted on the end of a fixed piston rod 18k carried by the end plate 102. The piston rod 18k has a central bore 18k extending throughout its length which opens through the end of the piston 18j into the interior of the cylinder 18a. Hydraulic fluid under pressure is delivered to and conducted from the hydraulic cylinder 18a through the bore 18k and the connecting pipe 18m which leads to the primary hydraulic pressure source comprising reservoir 1812, supply pump 180, pressure-regulating valve 18 and control valve 18q located in the junction between the pipe 18m and the source lines 18r and 18s. In one position of the valve 13q pressurized hydraulic fluid is delivered to the cylinder 18a in order to actuate the drilling head 16 at a controlled rate in the direction of drill feed movement. In the opposite position of the valve 18q the cylinder 18a is relieved of pressure by permitting return flow of fluid back to the reservoir 1811 through the return line 18r, so that retraction of the drilling head 16 by the pneumatic jack mechanism is permitted. However, in either direction of motion of the pneumatic jack mechanism, should there be any tendency for the action to be overly abrupt, as there may be in the event of slippage cf a gripping clamp 26 or 24, due, for example, to negligent operation of the clamp, the hydraulic cylinder and piston unit 18a, 18j functions as a cushioning or retarding means preventing damage to the apparatus. This it does by virtue of its action as a pump of hydraulic liquid with the valve lSq in the second-mentioned, or opposite position.

Preferably the universal coupling joint 28 associated with the carriage means 10 comprises a releasable connection between the carriage means and the anchor post 12. Preferably, this anchor post 12 and the universal coupling means 28 associated therewith in this preferred embodiment are located at the drilling end of the rig, that is, in the tunnel wall T in which the drilling is done. The universal coupling housing 28a incorporates a ballengaging movable retainer shoe 28c carried by an actuating screw 28d. The latter has an operating handle 28c which may be turned in order to advance and retract the shoe toward and from the ball 2812. When the shoe is advanced against the ball, the ball is held securely in the socket 28a while permitting the socket to turn freely in. relation to the ball, hence in relation to anchor post 12, when and as necessary in order to change the aspect of the drill carriage in order to drill in a different direction through the tunnel wall T. Full retraction of the shoe 280 permits removing the carriage means altogether from the anchor post 12.

In operating the drilling apparatus, first a hole B is drilled in the rock wall T preferably at a location somewhat below the desired point of entry of the core drill and in a direction generally parallel to the desired direction of core drilling. Thereupon the anchor post 12 is inserted in the hole B and, by turning the ball fitting the wedging element 12d is drawn progressively into the slitted end of the anchor post tube 12a in order to expand the tube and thereby lock the same rigidly in the hole B. Next the socket housing 28a is placed over the ball 28b and is secured thereon by turning the screw 28d in order to advance the retainer 280 against the ball. With the drill carriage then held in the desired direction of drilling, disposed transversely across the tunnel, the screw jacks 14a and 14b are extended until their anchor points. 14a

and 14b thereof bear firmly against the tunnel wal-l Tin order to lock the drill carriage firmly in place for drilling operations.

With the drill rig thus positioned, the drill motor and chuck assembly 20, 22 are mounted on the drill head 16 by securing the same in the clamp assembly 16g by means of the thumb screws provided. Next the initial length of drill rod, which carries the bit Rb, is inserted through the guide collar 26a and threaded upon the motor chuck 22. The motor 20 is then started and drilling is commenced either by admitting pressurized air into the far end of the air cylinder 18b or by admitting hydraulic liquid into cylinder 18a, thus feeding the drilling head 16 toward the tunnel wall T. Water delivered through hose C to the chuck 22 and thereby into the bore through the drill rod lubricates and cools the cutting bit Rb in the usual manner.

The lengths of drill rod are usually two and one-half feet and are added one at a time as the drilling progresses. As a matter of practice and convenience, the core samples taken are approximately five feet long. This means that a core sample is removed with the addition of every other two and one-half foot section of drill rod. At these times during the drilling operation the motor and chuck assembly 20, 22 are temporarily removed from the drilling head 16 and the drill rod is pulled from the bore in order to remove the core sample. The bit Rb may be of any known or suitable type which automatically severs the core sample. Alternatively, severance may be effected by simply shutting off the Water supply to the chuck and causing the drill to be rotated through a few turns. Without water the bit will freeze up with the core sample and break it off for removal by pulling the rod. 6

In order to pull the drill rod from the bore, with the motor and chuck assembly removed, the holding dog 240 is actuated into engagement with the drill rod R as shown in FIGURE 7, whereupon the drilling head 16 is retracted forcibly and quickly by action of the pneumatic jack, effected by the opening of valve 18g and the closing of valve 18 (FIGURE 2). Upon completion of the retraction stroke, as limited by the stop collars nearest the pneumatic jack, the holding dog 260 is locked in engagement with the drill rod in order to hold the drill rod against slipping back into the 'bore and the dog 240 is thereupon disengaged from the rod. The positions of the valves 18g and 18 are then reversed in order to return the drilling head 16 to its starting position pneumatically (FIGURE 7) and to obtain a new grip upon the rod by the holding dog 240 so as to pull the rod by an additional increment. FIGURE 8 illustrates the holding action of the dog 26c during the return stroke of the drilling head. Because of the rapid action of the pneumatic jack 18 and the quick and effective action of the cooperating holding units 26 and 24, the rod pulling operation is conducted very rapidly compared to usual standards. This saving of time is. of great importance in .taking core samples at considerable depths because of the long length of rod to be pulled and the necessity of pulling it and replacing it for taking the core samples at every five foot interval during drilling. In some instances, as much as four hundred feet of drill rod is used in a single core sampling bore, which means that the rod will be pulled and reinserted nearly eighty times, during a single drilling.

In a practical design, the stroke of the drilling head 16 is made substantially equal to the length of each drill rod section which in this instance is two and one-half feet.

When drilling under normal conditions, maximum drilling speed is assured :by use of the pneumatic jack means comprising the air cylinder 18b and piston 18a because of the fact that compressed air acting upon the piston represents resilient medium which produces a steady force with instant take-up or recoil response, capable of constant follow-through after the drill regardless of variations in its cutting rate due to variations in earth structure. This steadily applied force is readily established at a value which permits the drilling to occur as rapidly as the bit can cut the material without overheating or clogging. However, when the drill operator observes conditions under which it is determined that the drill is entering an oblique fault or strata which could deflect the drill out of its intended straight path, he immediately converts the feed mechanism operation from pneumatic feed to hydraulic feed wherein the rate of feed is reduced to a controlled steady slow rate which will assure that the drill bit is fed slowly enough that it will reliably cut its way through the interfaces in a straight line. Hy-

draulic feed, or even simultaneous hydraulic and pneumatic feed, may also be desirable in certain other instances, =as where greater force is required, such as when drilling through extremely hard materials.

As previously stated, an additional function or advantage of the hydraulic jack unit 18a, 18 is the, damping action which it affords in the event one or the other of the holding units 24 or 26 slips on the drill rod or some other situation develops in which there could be damage to the drilling apparatus due to overly abrupt movement effected 'by the pneumatic jack.

In the modification shown in FIGURES 9 to 11, inclusive, parts which correspond to those in the preceding embodiment bear similar reference numerals and require no separate description herein. In this case, the pneum'atic jack and hydraulic jack are not coaxial as in the preceding embodiment but are mounted in side-by-side relationship extending longitudinally of the drill carriage between the supporting plates and 102, as shown. The pneumatic jack comprises the air cylinder 104, opposite ends of which are connected through pipes 186 and 108, respectively, to the air supply and controls as in the preceding embodiment. The pneumatic piston is connected through a rod 112 to the drilling head bracket 160.. The hydraulic jack cylinder 114 is single-acting as in the preceding case, being in this instance connected to a hand pump 116 which is mounted on the cylinder and has an operating lever-handle 116a. A piston 118 in the cylinder 114 is connected by means of a rod 12010 the bracket 16d.

In FIGURE 10 drilling is being performed on an upward incline, which can present the problem of the drill rod tending to slide back out of the bore when the motor and chuck assembly 20 and 22 are disconnected from the rod. In order to hold the drill rod in the bore when the motor is removed, as during addition to lengths of drill rod, the holding clamp 26 is reversed end-for-end on its support 26a. Thus, the dog 260 is able to lock on the drill rod R in a sense which holds the drill rod against sliding out of the bore. This feature is used during rod- 7 pulling operations as well as in operations to add sections of drill rod.

These and other aspects of the invention, including the possibility of alterations and modifications in the illus-- trated embodiments within the scope of the novel features involved, will be evident to those skilled in the art based on the present disclosure.

I claim as my invention:

' 1. Rock drilling apparatus for drilling into a rock face comprising a drill carriage having means for supporting the same in fixed relation to the rock face, said carriage including drill guide means extending lengthwise thereof, a drill head mounted on said guide means to be reciprocated lengthwise thereof, jack means rigidly mounted on said carriage and operatively connected to the drill head to reciprocate the same along said guide means, said drill head including a drill motor and chuck means driven by the motor and engageable with a drill rod for rotating the same and for moving it longitudinally with tovement of the drill head, and drill rod clamp means fixed on the carriage in alignment With the chuck means and operable to grip the drill rod releasably for holding such drill rod stationary during movement of the drill head with the chuck means disengaged from the drill rod.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the jack means comprises an air jack including an air cylinder member, a cooperable air piston member reciproc able in said air cylinder member, one such member being connected to the carriage and the other to the drill head, means to control ingress and egress of air into and from the cylinder ends, thereby to control direction of movement of the drill head, and an alternatively operable hydraulic jack including a hydraulic cylinder member, a cooperable hydraulic piston member recipnocable in the hydraulic cylinder member, one such hydraulic member being connected to the carriage and the other to the drill head, and means operable to control ingress and egress of hydraulic liquid into and from one end of the cylinder, thereby to effect movement of the drill head in at least one direction While permitting movement thereof in the opposite direction.

3. The rock drilling apparatus defined in claim 1, and separate drill rod clamp means carried by the drill head and operable to grip the drill rod releasably for holding the same in fixed relation to the drill head, thereby to permit moving the drill rod longitudinally by movement of the drill head with the chuck means disengaged from the drill rod.

4. In rock drilling apparatus comprising a drill carriage including drill guide means extending lengthwise thereof, a drill head reciprocatively mounted on said guide means, fluid-actuated jack means rigidly mounted on said carriage and operatively connected to the drill head to reciprocate the same along said guide means, said drill head including a drill motor and chuck means for engaging and rotating a drill rod, said drill head further including a first drill rod clamp means aligned with said chuck means detacha'bly engageable with a drill rod independently of said chuck means to grip the rod for movement thereof with the drill head, a second drill rod clamp means detaehably engageable With the drill rod independently of said chuck means and mounted in fixed position on the carriage in alignment with said chuck means in position to hold the drill rod independently of drill head movement with the first clamp means disengaged from the drill rod, said fluid-actuated jack means comprising an air jack and a separately operable hydraulic jack each operatively connected between the drill head and the carriage to effect relative movement therebetween, and control means to operate either jack with the other jack remaining inoperative.

5. In rock drilling apparatus comprising an elongated drill carriage including drill guide means extending lengthwise thereof, a drill head reciprocatively mounted on said guide means, fluid-actuated jack means rigidly mounted on said carriage and operatively connected to the drill head to reciprocate the same along said guide means, said drill head including a drill motor and chuck means for engaging and rotating a drill rod, and first drill rod clamp means mounted on the drill head in alignment with the chuck means and detachably engageable with the drill rod extending through said clamp means to grip the rod for advancing the same by movement of the drill head, and second drill rod clamp means fixed on the carriage in alignment with the drill head and detachably engageable with the drill rod extending through it, thereby to hold the drill rod in a position of advancement effected by the drill head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 273,443 Bittenbender et al. Mar. 6, 1883 2,193,736 Onions Mar. 12, 1940 2,274,728 Osgood Mar. 3, 1942 2,301,887 Lamb Nov. 10, 1942 2,531,909 Guyer Nov. 28, 1950 2,969,121 Wallace Jan. 24, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 551,086 Germany May 26, 1932 

1. ROCK DRILLING APPARATUS FOR DRILLING INTO A ROCK FACE COMPRISING A DRILL CARRIAGE HAVING MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE SAME IN FIXED RELATION TO THE ROCK FACE, SAID CARRIAGE INCLUDING DRILL GUIDE MEANS EXTENDING LENGTHWISE THEREOF, A DRILL HEAD MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEANS TO BE RECIPROCATED LENGTHWISE THEREOF, JACK MEANS RIGIDLY MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE AND OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE DRILL HEAD TO RECIPROCATE THE SAME ALONG SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID DRILL HEAD INCLUDING A DRILL MOTOR AND CHUCK MEANS DRIVEN BY THE MOTOR AND ENGAGEABLE WITH A DRILL ROD FOR ROTATING THE SAME AND FOR MOVING IT LONGITUDINALLY WITH MOVEMENT OF THE DRILL HEAD, AND DRILL ROD CLAMP MEANS FIXED ON THE CARRIAGE IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE CHUCK MEANS AND OPERABLE TO GRIP THE DRILL ROD RELEASABLY FOR HOLDING SUCH DRILL ROD STATIONARY DURING MOVEMENT OF THE DRILL HEAD WITH THE CHUCK MEANS DISENGAGED FROM THE DRILL ROD. 